My passion for education starts with my own experience in elementary school. Over the past thirty years, I have spent far too much time telling myself that I could not succeed. My feelings of failure all started when I was in grade three because I could not read yet, and I often wondered what was wrong with me. I eventually received the help I needed, but my struggle broke my confidence. Comparison always snuffed out any of my dreams, and I was defeated. It took me 30 years to regain the confidence I needed to pursue my dreams of becoming a teacher. I wanted to become a teacher because I know how it feels to be that one student that got missed. My empathy and compassion will always drive me to see all students for their strengths and allow them to grow through their weaknesses. A tree without sunlight will not grow. I was like a tree withering in the shadows of my fears. I stepped out from the looming clouds and into the sunlight, and I grew. I am thankful for the past, for I would not have a passion for education that I possess today without it. I look forward to providing a loving environment that allows children to stand in the sunlight and grow as they feel success and acceptance in all intelligence areas in the classroom.